McKeon Stone recently supplied stone for a new Catholic chapel in Gloucestershire which was awarded a distinguished architectural prize.

Restrained Classical Architecture

The new chapel stands in the grounds of a large private estate which was originally built in the early seventeenth century and remodeled by the renowned Neo-Classical architect Sir John Soane a hundred years later. Consecrated in September 2017, the chapel was designed by Craig Hamilton Architects as a modern interpretation of the Classical style, with formal proportions and pared-down detailing. McKeon Stone Supplied Kilkenny Blue Limestone with a Dark honed finish made into Columns, Niches, String Course, Plinth, stone flooring and altar. The dark honed stone was used in combination with White statuary Carrara marble crafted in Carrara. With its simple lines and minimal decoration, the design emphasises the quality of the building materials. The only decorative element on the front of the chapel is a bas relief after the Florentine Renaissance sculptor Andrea Della Robbia.

Best New Building

The chapel was announced as winner of the Best New Building in the Classical Tradition at the Georgian Group Awards, held at the RIBA in London on 30th November 2017. The ceremony was introduced by a video message from HRH The Prince of Wales, who said “These Awards recognise exemplary conservation and restoration projects in the United Kingdom and reward those who have shown the vision and commitment to restore Georgian buildings and designed landscapes.”

A Prize-Winning Partnership

This is not the first partnership between McKeon Stone and Craig Hamilton Architects to have been honoured at an awards ceremony. An oratory building, on another private estate in the south of England, received a Special Award by the Stone Federation of Great Britain. The judges described the building, which used traditional materials and techniques, as so good that it could have won awards in many different categories.

McKeon is Recognised a Second Time for a Neo-Classical Chapel

McKeon is Recognised a Second Time for a Neo-Classical Chapel

McKeon Stone’s Niall Kavanagh and James Mc Keon were at London’s five-star Grange Tower Bridge Hotel on Friday, December 7th to receive a prestigious award at The Natural Stone Awards ceremony. The project was the Award category winner of CRAFTMANSHIP presented by Lloyd Grossman. The Judges commented that the stones chosen were perfect and it is evident that the client, architect and masons worked together as a close team, creating the perfect end result.

The award presented to McKeon Stone was for a place of worship; a new Catholic chapel in the grounds of a large private estate in Gloucestershire, in the English Cotswolds. The building, which used Kilkenny Blue Limestone with a dark-honed finish, was designed by Craig Hamilton Architects in a modern interpretation of the Classical style, with formal proportions and pared-down detailing.